Associate head coach Michael King will lead the program in Benson's absence.

"Eastern Washington Volleyball is in great hands," Benson said. "The players are ready for a great season. I want to thank EWU for its outstanding support of myself and my family."

"It is truly amazing how far Coach Benson has come in such a short time battling this disease," said Bill Chaves, Director of Athletics. "The decision for him to use this time to fully recover makes most sense. We have the utmost confidence in Coach King and Coach Janelle Allen to lead the program before Wade returns."

Benson underwent cancer treatments this past offseason, but more time is required for him to recuperate and become fully healthy.

Benson returned to Cheney last year after serving as the program's head coach from 2000-06. EWU's 2001 and 2002 teams are being inducted into the Eastern Washington Athletics Hall of Fame this October.

The Eagles return five starters and eight letter winners from last year's team that went 10-21 and finished eighth in the Big Sky with a 7-13 league mark. A massive recruiting effort saw the addition of 10 new faces in time for Eastern's 2014 campaign. EWU opens training camp this Saturday, Aug. 9.